One-Pot Crosslinking Enables 3D Printing of Shear-Recovery Fish Collagen VEGF-Functionalized Inks.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Fish collagen is a sustainable biomaterial for tissue engineering scaffolds.
• Developing effective crosslinking strategies is crucial for fabricating stable 3D collagen structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and compare a biomimetic one-pot crosslinking strategy with a conventional method for fish skin collagen.
• To create a shear-recovering, extrudable collagen ink for 3D printing.
• To evaluate the bioactivity and potential for vascularized tissue development of the printed scaffolds.

Main Methods:

• A one-pot crosslinking strategy and a periodate oxidation-Schiff base approach were used for fish skin collagen.
• Crosslinked collagens were processed into microgels and incorporated into calcium alginate for 3D extrusion printing.
• Printed scaffolds were functionalized with vascular endothelial growth factor and seeded with mesenchymal stem cells.

Main Results:

• Both crosslinking methods enhanced collagen viscosity and thermal stability.
• The one-pot method produced a non-Schiff base covalent bond, while the conventional method used oxidized maltose.
• 3D printed scaffolds exhibited structural resilience, shear-recovery behavior, and supported high cell viability.
• Vascular endothelial growth factor conjugation promoted endothelial lineage differentiation.

Conclusions:

• The one-pot crosslinking approach is a sustainable and effective method for fabricating 3D printable fish collagen inks.
• This strategy eliminates the need for post-printing treatments and enhances scaffold bioactivity.
• The developed platform shows promise for creating vascularized tissue constructs for regenerative medicine.